Arts, University Transfer 
Loading... *Please note that sequencing is designed for transfer to the University of Alberta unless otherwise noted.
Arts students at Northwestern Polytechnic choose from a wide selection of majors and study with highly qualified faculty. The small class environment provides an excellent foundation for a choice of transfer options to a four-year institution, such as the University of Alberta.
Many students with one to two years of course work in University Transfer, Arts at Northwestern Polytechnic have successfully transferred to universities both within the province and throughout Canada. Students wishing to begin their arts program at Northwestern Polytechnic and then transfer to an institution other than the University of Alberta are encouraged to consult with an Academic Advisor who can assist them with course selection and with the interpretation of university requirements.
The Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Alberta is 120 credits of course work that includes common requirements, and a major subject of concentration. No minor is required, but students may declare a second major and/or one or more minors.
The University of Alberta requires, as do most other degree-granting institutions, that students complete at least half (60 credits) of degree requirements in courses offered through the University of Alberta, and that (normally) these will be the final (senior) courses in the program. This is called the Residency Requirement.
Normally, no more than 48 credits at the junior level (courses usually transferring to the University of Alberta at the 100 level) may be taken for degree credit. Students will not be permitted to take junior courses in the fourth year (last 30 credits) of the program; and they normally take junior level courses only in the first year of the program.
To complete this 120-credit degree in four years requires the completion of five courses per semester, over two semesters each year, or 30 credits per year for four years. Students may extend this program over a longer period of time or complete some course work during Spring and Summer Sessions at the University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic. The University of Alberta will accept applications from a transfer student upon completion of a minimum of 24 university transferable credits.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the University of Alberta Bachelor of Arts programs requires an overall average of 60 percent in the following five Alberta Education courses:
- English 30-1
- Four subjects chosen from Aboriginal Studies 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, a Fine Arts (only one Fine Arts subject may be presented), Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2, Mathematics 31, Physics 30, Science 30, Social Studies 30-1, 30-level language other than English.
Applicants pursuing a psychology major must present a minimum of Mathematics 30-2 in order to complete courses required within this major. Applicants considering a major in Mathematics must present Mathematics 30-1 and Mathematics 31. For a major in Economics, applicants must present Mathematics 30-1. Presentation of Mathematics 31 is recommended.
If a student plans to transfer to an institution other than the University of Alberta, the admission criteria may vary. Check with an Academic Advisor.
Mature Student
Applicants who are 21 years of age or older and do not have a high school diploma may still be eligible for admission as a Non-Matriculated Adult (NMA). Admission to the University of Alberta Bachelor of Arts program requires an overall average of 60% on the following two courses or their equivalents:
Regardless of admission requirements, applicants must still have the 30-level subjects specified as prerequisite to the courses that they are required or elect to take in their program.
Program Curriculum
The Common Requirements are designed to give the foundation of a Bachelor of Arts degree, and students are encouraged to complete the majority of the common requirements for the degree in the first two years (60 credits) of their program.
The following is a list of common course requirements available at Northwestern Polytechnic. For course descriptions and prerequisites, check the Course Descriptions section of this calendar.
Junior English (3 credits)
* although only 3 credits of Junior English is required, it is recommended to have two Junior level English courses completed*
One Language Other than English (LOE) (6 credits)
The Language Other than English requirement will be waived for students who have:
- successfully completed a 30 level Language Other than English in high school
- have been required to take an English Language Proficiency Test
Language courses may vary from year to year (may not be offered every year).
* FR0120 and FR0130 will transfer for 6 university credits only if credit has not been received for French 30 or equivalent. FR0120 and FR0130 transfer to University of Alberta and may be used to fulfill this requirement as part of the minimum 24 transferable credits.
** Transfer credit will be allowed only if students do not present a 30-level German high school course.
*** For transfer of NT1521 and NT1522 as a language, both courses must be taken, as it transfers as one 6 credit course to the U of A
Remaining Requirements
The remainder of a student's course selection at Northwestern Polytechnic will be made up of option courses from a number of areas of choice, along with the requirements for the chosen major. Below is a list of options available:
Science Options
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology chosen from PY1040, PY3752, or PY3810
- Statistics
- Zoology
Fine Art Options
Humanities Options
- History
- Philosophy
- English
- Languages (modern)
Social Science Options
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Political Science
- Psychology (not PY1040, PY3752, PY3810)
- Sociology
- Women’s Studies
- Native Studies
Non-Arts Course Requirement
Students pursuing an Arts degree with the University of Alberta will be required to complete a minimum of 6 credits but no more than 18 credits in non-arts related courses. For a list of options to fulfill this requirement, speak with an Academic Advisor in the Registrar's Office.
Additional Information
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Majors and Minors
Areas of Concentration
Students may complete one to two years of Arts, University Transfer in the specific areas of concentration. The maximum curriculum available at Northwestern Polytechnic is articulated for each area.
Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Alberta requires a minimum of 30 credits to a maximum of 48 credits at the senior level for the major. A minimum of 15 senior credits of the major must be completed at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Arts. Students must declare a major. No minor is required, but students may declare a second major and/or one or more minors.
Honours Bachelor of Arts programs are available at the University of Alberta and admission to these is usually at the second year level. If students are interested in this option, Northwestern Polytechnic can offer one year (30 credits) toward the Honours B.A. for some majors. Consult an Academic Advisor for further details.
Contact Information
